We all have those friends who insist that all guests remove their shoes upon entering their home. This is often associated with various Asian cultures but it’s a good practice for anyone with carpet—and honestly anyone else that cares about their floors.

Many people think that using the outdoor mat to wipe shoes before entering the home is enough. Some people take their shoes off when they first come in while others tend to leave their shoes on until time for bed. Wiping shoes on a mat outside poses a few problems.

1. The mat is outside

That is where dirt is. Mats right in the doorway have similar problems (high traffic, close proximity to the outdoors). Also, dirt will collect and eventually not be used for removing anything off of your work boots and running shoes.

2. Mats aren’t perfect

There isn’t really a way for floor mats to completely remove the dirt from the bottom of your shoes; especially if it’s just a quick wipe or it’s been raining out. If you wipe your shoes on your mat and then rinse them under running water you would find more dirt than you ever anticipated.

3. Wiping shoes only removed dirt from the bottom of the shoes

If you decide to continue to assume mats clean shoes you’re ignoring the rest of the foot. Depending on the environments traveling, shoes can be filthy all over. That dirt can fall off and into carpets where foot traffic will basically grind it into the fibers.

If carpets are dingy and everyone in the hold walks around barefoot (with clean feet or socks) there are other ways walking and feet can damage the carpet. Some slippers or house shoes can rub material into the carpet (colored soles, for example, can begin to wear and the evidence is in the carpets). As with shoes, slippers can grind existing dirt into your floors from walking out to get the paper in your slippers or just from the dirt around the home.

Places, where furniture is regularly moved, can cause physical damage from long times of rest, rapid movement, or basic use (like dining chairs). Carpet fibers when new are round and have a certain level of shine or glossiness. Anything can cause friction and slowly alter that texture quality, making carpets look duller and darker (and therefore much dirtier).

Carpet cleaning can help prevent this but the damage can be hard to reverse, if not impossible depending on severity. Some treatments can be applied to carpets to reduce the risk of this damage, but being aware of movements can do just as much. Avoid moving furniture haphazardly; do not just push your sofa across the floor and try to avoid small movements regularly. The less something moves around and is abrasive to a carpet, the better the flooring will look.

Some of you may be thinking “how can I live in my house comfortably and keep my carpets looking nice?” It’s tricky, but you will have to accept some levels of dirt, grime, and wear.

Regular professional cleaning can help restore the luster and cleanliness of your home but simple measures like shoe removal at the door (preferably placed on hard floors or mats) and careful furniture moving can help keep your home looking as clean as possible.

How Can We Help You?

Call Accents In Cleaning today to schedule a visit to renew your carpets and push you to be a cleaner, smarter person. The next time you visit a friend or family member who requests everyone remove their shoes remembers that they may just be trying to keep their carpet from becoming damages and it’s probably nothing against your shoes specifically.